Synods of Aachen (816–819)

In the synods of Aachen 816-819 groundbreaking rules for the monastic life in the Frankish Empire were made. First, the Rule of St. Benedict was declared a universal standard for monks and nuns Communities and other monastic life of the canons were divorced. For the latter and for canonesses own rules ( Institutiones Aquisgranenses ) has been adopted. The synods of 817, 818 and 819 completed the reforms. There, among other things, the ratio of the church facilities were clarified to the king.

Prehistory

The monastic life played an important role in the spiritual and intellectual life in the Frankish kingdom. The communities had important roles in church life. But they were also important for the economic and intellectual inclusion of new territories, such as Saxony, in the kingdom. Some monasteries were also closely linked to the ruling house.

The communities, however, were not uniformly organized. In previous centuries dominated mixing rules ( regulatory mixta ). Even in the Abbey of Montecassino such a mixed rule was introduced after the re- establishment in the 8th century. In the Frankish empire, the Rule of St. Benedict was often mixed with the Columban. Moreover, in addition to the monks and nuns communities, communities of canons and canonesses developed. Between the two basic types of communities were also mixtures.

Charlemagne began with the Admonitio generalis of 789 to regulate the monastic life. Among other things, stated that the observance of the Rule of St. Benedict should be for the communities centrally. The decisions of a synod at Aachen 802 latched seamlessly onto it. This was followed by visitations of the Communities. A court day in the second half of the year determined that the Rule of St. Benedict should be the only binding form of life in the future. But there were still numerous monasteries with other rules.

Course

Louis the Pious commissioned Benedict of Aniane soon after his accession to power of it, the enforcement of Benedict rules in the kingdom to drive forward. The emperor summoned for August 816 an imperial synod to Aachen. Main topics was the reform of monastic life and the regulation of the life of the canons. The Synod were probably preceded by intensive preparations. It has obviously given a list of topics to be treated that had been put together by Benedict of Aniane.

According to the Imperial Kapitular, in which the results had been published, found the negotiations rather than in Aachen's royal palace. Then abbots and monks have taken part in it. In fact, the emperor was present in person. He even intervened in the debates. Even bishops and secular Large participated. A list of participants does not exist. Among the participants was Hetti of Trier and Adalhoh of Strasbourg. Probably Hildebold of Cologne was present as Erzkaplan. Magnus of Sens and Agobard Lyon left the meeting early. From the abbots were, among others Ando of Stavelot - Malmedy in Aachen. It was probably also Helysachar of St. Maximin in Trier in attendance, he was also the head of the Imperial Chancellery. Also Ratgar of Fulda likely there have been, but it was very well informed about the results of this abbey.

Monastic life

Over the course of the Synod, there are few clues. A key issue was the orientation of the monastic life on the Rule of St. Benedict. As important as the role of Benedict of Aniane was, he has can not always prevail with his position. One point of contention was the intended implementation of the liturgical practice along the lines of Benedict of Nursia in the monasteries. In contrast, applied the bishops who wanted to tolerate any deviation from the Roman liturgy. Finally it came to a compromise in this matter. Dispute, there was also the treatment of possession of novices. If they fall to the monastery or family return? In other detailed questions, there were discussions.

At its core, but Benedict has played a key role of Aniane. He explained to the participants the Rule of St. Benedict, clarified doubts and errors pointed back in the interpretation. Everything that was agreed with the rule, he was good. He sat through that the Benedictine Rule with the generic standard for the monastic life in the Frankish empire was. The decisions taken in Aachen here have some points to deviations from the original rule. These were mostly solidified in previous centuries traditions. Even Benedict of Aniane did not dare to make a radical break with tradition and so some foreign elements have been retained. Benedict of Aniane but tried to get as close as possible with the by set by him provisions of the original rule.

Overall, the enforcement of the rule of St. Benedict was a significant step. This is partly regarded as the real beginning of the Benedictine order. Also, all the religious foundations in the following centuries oriented in principle to this rule. Only the rules of the mendicant orders of the 13th century were no longer on this basis.

Canons and canonesses

Another important aspect was the mutual delimitation of monks and canons, to finish the mixing of the two forms of life, which had begun in the 8th century. Again, there was for a long time approaches, which did not have resounding success. In space Metz the rule Chrodegang anticipated the normalization already. In Aachen, Ludwig called the Pious, which should be collected from the ancient scriptures, the standards for the coexistence of the canons. Some bishops were not convinced of the need, but it has created such a collection that has been decided by the Assembly. It was decided a rule for canons (Institutes Canonicorum ) and one for canonesses (Institutes sanctimonitalium ).

The canons should communal acts of worship with choral prayer and maintain a community life in an enclosed area. It should be a common living room and a dining room. In contrast to the monks and nuns of the canons could own personal property, even if for them the ideal of personal poverty was. In particular, they took off no lifelong vows. At the top of the Communities of canons provosts should be. In many ways similar to the life of the Sisters of the Canon was settled. Their communities were led by abbesses.

The form of life of the congregation were 816 and 817 actually first founded. In practice, in the following two centuries was often not clear whether it was a convent or a nunnery.

Completion and publication

The discussions were not easy, given the numerous to be controlled areas of monastic life and they lasted a long time, until the participants had summarized their decisions in 36 canons and they could present to the Emperor to confirm. In a Kapitular of August 23, 816 this was published and thus made ​​binding for the Empire. In addition, several participants have published partial results before the final adoption. The enforcement or monitoring the implementation was carried out in the course of the following year by King messengers and by church representatives. In particular, the archbishops were involved.

Synods 817-819

The synod of 817 was linked to the deliberations of the previous year. It was decided on July 10 a Capitulare Monasticum that also contains the decisions of the previous year. At the turn of the years 818 and 819 another synod was held in Aachen. This brought the monastic reforms to a conclusion. In parallel, a Reichstag took place. Was clarified, among other things, the ratio of rulers and church. Monasteries and bishoprics were granted the right to vote, but the king had the consensus and establishing law. Head of Kanonikerstiften he was allowed to continue to appoint. Were also laid down the performance of the ecclesiastical institutions for the Empire.

Overall, the rules meant an end to the diversity of past life forms in favor of uniform standards. Uniform structures meant a strengthening of the imperial church. This was an aspect of maintaining the unity of the empire.